Cherokee move ahead with plans to build 2nd casino

Published: Friday, April 12, 2013 at 9:46 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, April 12, 2013 at 9:46 a.m.

ASHEVILLE (AP) — North Carolina's Cherokee Indians are moving ahead with plans to build a second casino near Murphy.

Principal Chief Michell Hicks said Thursday the Tribal Council had approved building a $110 million casino and hotel in Cherokee County.

Hicks was in Asheville speaking on tribal sovereignty issues with UNC Asheville students. He says construction could begin this summer.

The Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise board has proposed building a casino of at least 50,000 square feet, as well as a 300-room hotel. The casino space would have up to 1,200 slot machines and 40-50 table games.

Hicks says Harrah's would have first rights on operating the new casino. The second casino would be about an hour's drive southwest of the existing Harrah's Cherokee resort.

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